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The Duma’s Problem with Historical Memory

Details: 18 February 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

A few weeks ago a new bill was introduced for consideration in the first reading at the Russian State Duma. The bill focuses on, quote, “prohibiting the rehabilitation of Nazism.” IMR advisor and prominent legal expert Ekaterina Mishina argues that this bill is another demonstration of the current tendency to restoration of the Soviet approaches and policies.

Details: Politics

Attack Against Dozhd

The Kremlin's New Campaign Against the Media

Details: 14 February 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

In late January, the Russian government launched a campaign against the independent TV channel Dozhd, known for its liberal position. The reason is a poll regarding the Nazi blockade of Leningrad during World War II served as a pretext for the government campaign. Seen by the government as a "spiritual bond" that unifies Russian society, the blockade is a very sensitive topic. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses how far the Kremlin is prepared to go.

Details: World

The Kremlin’s Euromaidan Endgame

Details: 13 February 2014; Donald N. Jensen

Last week Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych returned to work after a four-day sick leave that he took in the middle of a major crisis in his country. According to Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the two-month standoff between Yanukovich’s government and protestors is entering a decisive phase.

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Interest in “Local Business”

Details: 11 February 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The question of whether or not the Kremlin will abolish direct mayoral elections in major Russian cities is likely to be one of the major political intrigues of 2014. Although the Russian Constitution prohibits cancellation of direct mayoral elections, as does the European Charter of Local Self-Government, circles close to the Kremlin have already figured out how to circumvent these legislative obstacles. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya believes that the Kremlin has a strong incentive to succumb to the temptation of extending Russia’s “vertical of power”.

Details: Law

Russia: Presumption of Innocence as “Legal Fiction”

Details: 05 February 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

Russia’s criminal process is about to be revamped once again. A new bill submitted to the Duma would incorporate the principle of “objective truth” into the criminal procedure and to eliminate the adversarial system. IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina, a prominent legal scholar, contends that this means, for all intents and purposes, the abolition of the presumption of innocence in Russia.

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